Will 2016’s prison reforms still fly in 2022?

Presented by Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support: Jeremy B. White and Lara Korte's must-read briefing on politics and government in the Golden State

Apr 14, 2022 View in browser   By Jeremy B. White, Lara Korte, Juhi Doshi and Chris Ramirez Presented by Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support THE BUZZ: Voter-approved criminal justice reforms will come under the intense glare of public scrutiny today. At issue is how much of inmates' sentences must be served in California prisons. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is inviting public comment for proposed regulations broadening the good-conduct credits that allow people to shave time off the total duration of their incarceration. Depending who you ask, the agency overseeing the state's prisons is either following the will of voters or unaccountably undermining public safety. A backlash ensued last May when CDCR floated a credit-earning framework that would've potentially reduced the sentences of an estimated 76,000 inmates. Republicans lambasted the proposal as an example of Democrats' weak-on-crime fecklessness, inaccurately asserting that tens of thousands of violent criminals were now free (CDCR has since renounced the 76,000 figure, saying the universe of affected inmates wasn't so easy to pin down precisely). A mass shooting in Sacramento has supercharged the situation. One of the shooting suspects was released after serving roughly half of a ten-year term for a prior offense, thanks in part to good-conduct credits. That revelation has spurred a fresh round of recriminations. Critics assert that tougher sentencing rules could have prevented a tragedy. Six years ago, voters overwhelmingly backed opportunities for earlier release. The official ballot description for Gov. Jerry Brown's Proposition 57 asked the electorate if they wanted a world in which "the state prison system could award additional sentencing credits to inmates for good behavior and approved rehabilitative or educational achievements." Californians said yes by a 30-point, 4-million-voter margin. The regs CDCR is considering flow directly from that authority. But opponents are imploring the state to reconsider. Every Republican state lawmaker has signed a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom urging him to oppose the proposal, warning "crime, and the fear of crime, is rising in California." They invoked the Sacramento shooting as "only the most recent, and one of the more dramatic, high profile examples of brazen crimes in this state." Count on this figuring into the attorney general's race. Sacramento District Attorney and AG candidate Anne Marie Schubert — who led a majority of California district attorneys in unsuccessfully suing to block CDCR's proposal — wrote in an official public comment that she is "adamantly opposed" and argued "sentences should not be reduced by regulations rather than duly passed statutes." Schubert encouraged supporters of her AG run to get involved, blasting a comment link to her email list. MORE ON THE SUSPECTS — " Prison, probation, a missed warrant: Sacramento shooting suspects' troubled route to K Street," by the Sac Bee's Jason Pohl, Dale Kasler and Sam Stanton: "What's becoming increasingly clear is how the gun battle on K Street was made possible, at least in part, by a series of cracks in a fragmented justice system." BUENOS DÍAS, good Thursday morning. Speaking of criminal justice, the San Francisco Standard is interviewing embattled San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin at 2 today — you can follow along here. Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte.  QUOTE OF THE DAY : "There's no lack of money in California. I've never seen so much money in politics, but I've also never seen so many people unhappy with what the government's doing at the same time. I think that people are waking up and realizing that we don't have a money problem. We have a policy problem " Republican state Sen. and gubernatorial candidate Brian Dahle on money not being a panacea, via the LA Times' Phil Willon. BONUS QOTD: "Feral cats have multiplied since the coronavirus and the kittens are running wild. … The good news is the rat population has decreased substantially." Oakland Coliseum Authority executive director Henry Gardner on kitties taking over the ballpark, via the SF Chronicle's Michael Cabanatuan.  TWEET OF THE DAY: Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva @Quirk_Silva: "To all the folks saying they are running to be fix homelessness- that is great but please tell me how ? If we do not have permanent supportive housing, we are stuck. I am hearing compassionately clear camps- agree, but where are they going to be housed?" BONUS TOTD: MLB writer @JeffPassan on the Dodgers pulling starter Clayton Kershaw during a perfect game: "If it's a no-hitter, whatever. Yank him. Clayton Kershaw has thrown one. But there have been more than 220,000 games in MLB history. There have been 23 perfect games. Everything -- especially a pitch count of 80 -- is lining up to at least let Kershaw try. You cannot pull him." WHERE'S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.   A message from Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support: Our initiative is the only one on the November ballot that will generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year to fight homelessness and fund mental health and addiction treatment in California. Nearly half of the country has legalized online sports betting, proving states can do so safely and responsibly - and generate significant tax revenue. Add your name to support a permanent funding solution to address California's homelessness crisis.   Top Talkers CALLING IT QUITS — "California Lawyer Quits Over Allegation Newsom Meddled in Activision Case," by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier: "The allegation and loss of the top two lawyers on the case raises questions about the fate of the Activision lawsuit, which accuses the Santa Monica, California-based video game publisher of sexual discrimination and misconduct." — Activision board member donated $100,000 to Newsom's anti-recall campaign , by POLITICO's Lara Korte: The state's case against Activision Blizzard is pending in Los Angeles Superior Court. QUARANTINE NO MORE — "California says asymptomatic people exposed to coronavirus don't need to quarantine ," by the LATimes' Rong-Gong Lin II and Luke Money: "California is no longer recommending a five-day quarantine period for people who are exposed to the coronavirus but remain asymptomatic, a move that could potentially result in a relaxation of similar rules in Los Angeles County." POLICING — " Bakersfield Police Department fails to identify people in crisis, thwarting reform," by KVPR's Soreath Hok, Molly Peterson, and Lisa Pickoff-White: "We found that 44% of people seriously injured or killed in encounters with Bakersfield police officers displayed signs of a mental health condition, intoxication, or both." CAMPAIGN MODE BACKTRACKING — Dems retreat on crime and police reform, by POLITICO's Holly Otterbein and David Siders: In Los Angeles, a heavily Democratic city where leaders shifted funding away from the police department following Floyd's murder, Democratic mayoral candidates at a debate last month only disagreed about who would do more to bolster public safety.   DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today.     CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR MONEY MAKERS — "America's Highest Earners And Their Taxes Revealed," by ProPublica's Paul Kiel, Ash Ngu, Jesse Eisinger, and Jeff Ernsthausen. AND … "The Standard Top 10: Who is SF's Highest-Paid City Official?" by SF Standard's Maryann Jones Thompson. TENSIONS ARISE — S.F. Redistricting Task Force facing a 'toxic political culture' as it races to meet its deadline by SF Chronicle's Rachel Swan: "Tensions erupted Monday at City Hall as San Francisco's Redistricting Task Force met to discuss its final draft map for the city's new supervisorial districts — a charter-mandated process that many participants say has been warped by a corrosive political culture." GANGS –– " 17 L.A. gangs have sent out crews to follow and rob city's wealthiest, LAPD says," by the LA Times' Kevin Rector: "More than a dozen Los Angeles gangs are targeting some of the city's wealthiest residents in a new and aggressive manner, sending out crews in multiple cars to find, follow and rob people driving high-end vehicles or wearing expensive jewelry, according to police." KINDERGARTEN — "Kindergarten may change in California if two new bills pass," by Ed Source's Karen D'Souza: "Making kindergarten mandatory will help close the state's achievement gap, advocates say, because some children who skip kindergarten have a hard time catching up with their peers." GOING ELECTRIC — "California plan aims to triple sale of electric cars by 2026," by the AP's Kathleen Ronayne: "California wants electric vehicle sales to triple in the next four years to 35% of all new car purchases, an aggressive target set as part of the goal to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by the middle of next decade. — "A Farmer's Quest to Beat California's Waves of Drought and Deluge," by WIRED's Susie Cagle: "What if you could do what California's climate couldn't and average out the floods and droughts? The depleted aquifers beneath the Central Valley could hold an estimated 140 million acre-feet—three times more water than all the state's reservoirs combined—and they could do it for a small fraction of the price of surface storage." — " California Joshua tree is not threatened, regulators say. It could bring more development," by the LA Times' Louis Shagún: "State biologists on Wednesday recommended against designating the western Joshua tree as threatened with extinction, saying claims in a petition filed by environmentalists about the effects climate change will have on the living symbols of the California desert are premature." SCHOOL BOARD RECALL ECHOES — "Principal at elite Lowell High School resigns, slamming SFUSD in farewell letter," by the SF Chronicle's Jill Tucker.  — " Someone Attacked a Postal Worker. Then the Mail Stopped," by the NY Times' Livia Albeck-Ripka: "It has also brought into focus the right to safety for postal workers who, like other essential workers, have battled through the past two years, hand delivering the nation's letters, bills and paychecks, day in and out."   A message from Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support:   BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL INFLATION ISSUES — "Inflation looms large in Biden's approval rating. What do Californians say?" by the LA Times' Melanie Mason: " Roughly 6 in 10 California voters give President Biden poor marks on his handling of inflation, according to a new UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll, even as his overall job approval marginally improved in the last two months." SILICON VALLEYLAND ANTITRUST EFFORTS — Behind closed doors, progressives fighting 'Big Tech' work with anti-trans group , by POLITICO's Emily Birnbaum: As LGBTQ rights dominate political discourse leading up to the 2022 midterms, antitrust advocates who also work on social justice issues are increasingly reckoning with the anti-gay and anti-trans rhetoric from their counterparts across the aisle. And the compromises they're willing or unwilling to make could determine whether Congress is able to put into action its biggest antitrust effort in a century. — " Meta announces plans to monetize the Metaverse, and creators are not happy," by Ars Technica's Samuel Axon: "Horizon Worlds has not offered the tools for creators to make a living creating that content like they could on similar services like Roblox." — " Tesla Racism Case Award Cut to $15 Million From $137 Million," by Bloomberg's Malathi Nayak, Joel Rosenblatt and Dana Hull.   INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED:  Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today.     MIXTAPE — "At least 9 claims of drugged drinks at Healdsburg bar shock Wine Country town," by SF Chronicle's Jess Lander. — "Actor Cuba Gooding Jr. pleads guilty to forcible touching," by the AP. TRIP TO THE PARK — " Enter all national parks for free this Saturday in honor of National Park Week," by ABC30. — "San Diego Ballerina Sends Tactical Gear to Ukrainian Dancers ," via NBC San Diego. — "'I Ain't Leaving Without My 40 Acres': How Musicians Have Called for Reparations," by KQED's Chloe Veltman. Transitions — Lyft is adding Emma Rindels as federal policy manager and Alix Lowe-Server as federal policy adviser. Rindels previously was a legislative assistant for House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Lowe-Server previously was senior adviser for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). …  — Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper is joining Red Cell Partners as a partner and chair of the national security practice BIRTHDAYS Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.) … Ashley Gold … Sasha Issenberg … Andrew Roosa … Shari Redstone   A message from Californians for Solutions to Homelessness and Mental Health Support: Our initiative is the only one on the November ballot that will generate hundreds of millions of dollars each year to fight homelessness and fund mental health and addiction treatment in California. Nearly half of the country has legalized online sports betting, proving states can do so safely and responsibly - and generate significant tax revenue. Our initiative will also provide millions each year and new economic opportunities for California Tribal nations. Add your name to support a permanent funding solution to address California's homelessness crisis.   CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.   Follow us on Twitter Jeremy B. White @JeremyBWhite Lara Korte @lara_korte POLITICO California @politicoca   Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook  |  Playbook PM  |  California Playbook  |  Florida Playbook  |  Illinois Playbook  |  Massachusetts Playbook  |  New Jersey Playbook  |  New York Playbook  |  Ottawa Playbook  |  Brussels Playbook  |  London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters Follow us

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